Raon and the Light Wind division swordsmen walked towards the center of the great training ground along the path opened by the Zieghart martial forces. They completely erased their usual playful looks, exuding a sharp aura as if they had become living blades as they stood before the platform. The atmosphere intensified.
The audience, who had been applauding and cheering, lowered their hands and held their breath at the solemn and weighty presence emanating from the Light Wind division swordsmen.
Even the swordsmen performing the sword salute seemed startled by this presence, swallowing hard. The dignified aura flowing from the Light Wind division, with their hands on their sword hilts as they lined up before the platform, was like witnessing the spirit of heroes saving a battlefield in crisis. It had the power to instantly silence the noisy and bustling great training ground.
"..."
Raon, standing at the front of the Light Wind division, nodded to Chad. It meant he could proceed with the next order.
"Hmm..."
Chad let out a low groan as if he was suffocating just from receiving Raon's gaze, and nodded.
"Everyone, at ease."
At his command, the swordsmen performing the sword salute returned to their original positions, and the audience exhaled quietly while seated. Cold sweat was trickling down everyone's foreheads, even though they had only briefly faced the Light Wind division's presence.
"Phew..."
Chad exhaled a heavy breath and stepped forward.
"The Light Wind division played the most significant role in leading us to victory in the war against the South-North Union, solidified our alliance with the elves by stopping the dragons that attacked Sepia, and rescued the Gray Hammer Guild from the demons, creating an opportunity for all Zieghart swordsmen to obtain weapons made from dragon bones."
He recited the achievements of the Light Wind division one by one in a weighty tone.
"Moreover, in their final mission, the Light Wind Division Leader cut down the Demonblade that threatened the Warring Steel Division, making Zieghart's name shine even brighter than the Five Kings and Five Demons. In addition to these, they have accomplished numerous feats and gained great fame. With the consent of all executives, including the Head of House, we will promote the Light Wind division to the Light Wind Palace."
Chad turned over the slightly crumpled document with trembling hands.
"First, we will have a word of encouragement from the Head of House."
He sent a glance to Glenn, who was sitting on the throne, and then stepped back.
"Ahem."
Glenn cleared his throat softly and rose from the throne. He gazed calmly at Raon and the Light Wind division with eyes flickering with red lightning.
"Hmm..."
"Ugh."
The Light Wind division and the swordsmen standing in the great training ground let out low groans as if they were suffocating just from receiving Glenn's gaze.
"The Light Wind division's beginnings were humble. The leader was a washed-up swordsman with lingering effects from an injury, and the members, barely adult, were just novices starting on the path of the sword. No one had expectations."
Glenn smiled faintly as if recalling the early days of the Light Wind division.
"However, as the Shadow Agents' Leader said, the Light Wind division has accomplished many feats since its days as a squad, spreading Zieghart's name, which had been sinking, throughout the continent. According to recent Black Market surveys, the Light Wind Division Leader was voted as the most respected figure among the continent's swordsmen, the person they most want to emulate, and even the most handsome person..."
Contrary to his domineering aura, he slowly began to curl up the corners of his mouth as he mentioned that Raon had been ranked first in all popularity rankings.
"That's not all. The Light Wind Division Leader also ranked first as the swordsman with the highest potential for growth, and of course, first as the person most likely to disrupt the balance of the Five Kings and Five Demons in the future..."
He continued to list only the categories where Raon had ranked first, to an extent that it was unclear where and how such surveys had been conducted.
"H-Head of House?"
Chad called out to Glenn in a very small voice, his dry lips trembling.
"You're supposed to be giving words of encouragement now..."
"Ah..."
Glenn, as if only now noticing the dazed gazes of the people, cleared his throat and lowered the corners of his mouth that had been curling up.
"Do you know what 'palace' means?"
He turned his now dry eyes back to the Light Wind division.
"It means a castle or a mansion, sir."
Burren immediately answered about the palace without hesitation.
"Correct. It can mean those. However, there's another meaning within it."
Glenn smiled thinly while looking into Burren's eyes.
"It's not just a simple location, but everything within it."
"Everything...?"
"The house, clothes, food, weapons, and people."
He nodded as he folded his fingers.
"Let me ask again. What do you think a palace is?"
Glenn shook his head briefly and looked at Raon.
"A family... A small family, sir?"
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Glenn and the audience sitting behind him.
"That's right. A palace holds an independent position even within the Zieghart martial forces. It often makes decisions based on its own judgment, beyond the control of the Lord's Manor. As you said, it's not much different from running a small family."
Glenn slowly turned his gaze to Karoon, Denier, and Balder sitting in the audience.
"That's why another name for a Palace Master is a successor candidate. By managing a small family called a palace, you get the opportunity to hold this vast Zieghart in your hands one day."
He nodded, saying that becoming a Palace Master was the same as becoming a candidate to inherit Zieghart.
"If you have ambitions for the position of Head of House, you'll need to build up achievements that don't fall behind them from now on."
Glenn smiled faintly, saying that more difficult times were approaching from now on.
"The same goes for the Light Wind division. If the Palace Master is the head of the family, you are the family members. If family members cause problems, it will tarnish the face of the head, so you need to be more careful with your words and actions than before."
He briefly lowered his hand as he looked at the Light Wind division standing behind Raon.
"Yes!"
The Light Wind division swordsmen poured out a response that shook the great training ground, placing their hands on their chests as if they would never disappoint.
"That is all."
Glenn stepped back as if he had finished what he had to say.
"Then, we will now present the symbol of the Light Wind Palace. Starting with the Light Wind Division Leader, please come up to the platform one by one."
Chad quickly proceeded to the next order to ensure Glenn's dignity was not damaged.
"Yes."
Raon nodded to Chad and climbed onto the platform to stand in front of Glenn.
"You said you became interested in becoming the Head of House to protect the people you care about. I look forward to more from you in the future."
Glenn handed over a golden tablet with a cold gaze, as if he had never smiled. It was similar in shape to the golden tablets he had received often before, but in the center, instead of a burning sword, there was a sword with green wind blossoming. It was the image that he and the entire Light Wind division had wanted to remember Rimmer.
"Thank you."
Raon stroked the Blade of Requiem once before receiving the Light Wind Palace tablet. Although it was a small tablet, perhaps because of what Glenn had said, it felt heavier than receiving a piece of iron.
"I believe in you."
Glenn said he believed in him in a voice that others couldn't hear.
"I won't disappoint you."
"I don't think you will."
He patted Raon's shoulder while saying words that could be interpreted in various ways.
"...Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Glenn and retreated to the edge of the platform. Looking at the Light Wind Palace tablet in his palm, he was reminded of Rimmer.
[Aren't you interested in becoming the Head of House?]
[I think you'd do better than anyone if you became the Head of House.]
[Think about it. Without pressure. Yes! Without pressure! Just think about it, without feeling burdened. No, I'm not pressuring you...]
Rimmer would bring up the idea of becoming Head of House at least once a week. Perhaps the reason he had become even slightly interested in the position of Head of House was because of that person's words.
'You would have been happy to see this.'
Rimmer was someone who enjoyed Raon's promotions or growth more than anyone else, so he would have been even happier than family today.
-Indeed, he would have.
Wrath clicked his tongue and nodded.
-That pointy-eared guy saw you all as younger siblings rather than master and disciples.
He sighed briefly, saying that the guy seemed more like family than a master and disciple.
'Yes.'
Just as Raon was drawing a bitter smile, the Blade of Requiem rang out with a clear sword mantra, raising a green wind as if it understood his current feelings. It felt as if Rimmer, who had already departed, was standing beside him and congratulating him on the promotion to the Light Wind Palace.
"Martha Zieghart, Squad Leader of the First Squad. Step forward."
At Chad's words, Martha climbed onto the platform.
"Your courage and charging spirit have always been a great help to the Light Wind division. I look forward to your continued efforts."
Glenn gave Martha advice as he handed over the Light Wind Palace tablet.
"Yes! Don't worry!"
Martha received the tablet engraved with wind as spiritedly as ever.
"Burren. Your greatest weapon is not just your precise and sharp swordsmanship, but also your calm personality. Continue to cultivate it well."
Glenn reminded Burren of his strengths while rubbing his chin.
"I will never forget it."
Burren preciously embraced the Light Wind Palace tablet with trembling hands, as if moved by Glenn's advice.
"Runaan. Thanks to you always supporting from behind, the entire Light Wind division was able to move forward. Thank you for taking on difficult tasks."
Glenn drew a deep smile as if he was pleased with Runaan's heart that always put others before herself.
"Yes."
Runaan fortunately didn't speak informally, but gave a very short answer as she grasped the Light Wind Palace tablet.
"Uh..."
Glenn was taken aback, but seeing Runaan's blank expression, he couldn't continue speaking and just let her go.
"Dorian. Always being scared is not a good attitude for a swordsman, but you have given courage to everyone in a different way. I look forward to your future."
"Huh, huh..."
Dorian grasped the Light Wind Palace tablet while panting as if his heart had disappeared. Judging by his pale complexion, it seemed he would have collapsed if he had been any more nervous.
'He really observed well.'
Glenn had given praise and shown the path for future development to all members of the Light Wind division, as if he had been watching the entire group. Just hearing his words made Raon's heart pound as if it would burst. Clap. After handing over the Light Wind Palace tablet to all the Light Wind division swordsmen, Glenn clapped his hands lightly.
"A final salute to mark the end and new beginning for the Light Wind division."
As soon as his words ended, the swordsmen in the great training ground and the audience in the stands rose and drew their swords. Ching! Over a hundred, no, over a thousand swords turned upside down as if connected in a single line, emitting a silver radiance.
"We pay our respects to the Light Wind Palace!"
The second sword salute. An even deeper reverence than the first was poured out towards the Light Wind division in a salute unique to Zieghart swordsmen. Facing this majestic and solemn salute, the Light Wind division swordsmen clenched their fists tightly, holding back tears of emotion.
"The Light Wind Palace Master, please step forward and share your thoughts."
Chad called Raon forward again, saying it was the last order.
"Well..."
Raon stood at the edge of the platform like Glenn, looking at the Zieghart swordsmen and the audience. After slowly exhaling, he spoke the words he had prepared.
"At first, I had no strong feelings for Zieghart. If there were any, it was more malice than goodwill, and that was also the impression Zieghart left on me. There were hardly any good things since childhood."
At those words, the direct lineage and executives who had bullied him since childhood bit their lips and lowered their heads.
"But there was someone who showed me how precious a family can be, and how important people are."
Raon met Sylvia's eyes as she looked at him with her hands clasped.
"Thanks to that person, I learned the importance of connections. Simple colleagues became comrades, and the family that was colder than strangers began to connect little by little. I felt how amazing the relationship between people can be, as the hand I extended to help someone became a hand that helped me in return."
He turned his gaze from Sylvia, who was shedding tears, to look at the Zieghart swordsmen.
"Because of this, I also learned what path is for the family and what isn't, and I developed a small dream I want to achieve within the family. I will continue to do my best for that dream."
Raon drew the Heavenly Drive, meeting the eyes of the swordsmen. He held the silver blade upside down, returning the reverence they had shown him in the same manner.
'Hm?'
As he was drawing a small smile, looking at the swordsmen who seemed moved by his greeting, a small vibration occurred behind him.
"Heh..."
When he turned around, Glenn was openly laughing with his face hidden behind Raon's back.
'Mother and Father are happy too.'
Sylvia and Edgar were openly in tears, and Sia was waving her hand vigorously as if she enjoyed being the center of attention.
"Raon!"
Alice was also waving her hand as if she had become the same mental age as Sia, gripping the railing.
"Hmm..."
"Nephew!"
Karoon lowered his eyebrows and opened only one eye as if he was fine, while Balder waved his large arm as if telling Raon to look at him.
'Those people have changed a lot too... Huh?'
Just as Raon was about to finish the sword salute with a slight nod.
'That person...'
Denier was smiling. Not his usual gentle smile, but a twisted smile as if he had achieved the evil deed he wanted. It was a smile so sticky and grotesque that it made Raon's skin crawl.